In the aftermath of the massacre at Pulse, Equality Florida made two promises.

First, we would do everything we could to help the families of those killed and the survivors dealing with the physical and emotional pain of being targeted in the worst anti-LGBTQ hate crime in U.S. history.

You helped us keep the first promise by contributing, online and in person, more than $9M.

And we have kept our word that every penny we collected - even the interest that accrued on the funds - is going to the victims of Pulse. No staff or overhead. We’ve donated all of our time.

On September 27th, those funds will be disbursed and now our attention must focus entirely on fulfilling the second promise - to honor the dead with action.

Thoughts and prayers and symbols are not enough.

We are committed to ensuring the lasting memorial is the real change of uprooting anti-LGBTQ hatred at the source.

To keep this promise, we need you with us again.

Our mission for the last 19 years has been to uproot bigotry and fight for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Florida. Indeed, we fight for freedom for all Floridians to live without fear of violence, harm to their family, being fired from a job or refused service because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The massacre at Pulse has made this vision a priority for millions more people in the state of Florida. We have never been closer to a huge breakthrough in LGBTQ protections in a state that will have ripple effects nationally.

It is time for us to demand huge strides, not tiny measures, in changing the culture and the laws in Florida to ensure we stop the discrimination and violence that anti-LGBTQ hatred makes inevitable.

We are asking you now to join us in achieving two goals that are ambitious but achievable if we have the courage to stand together.

Banning anti-LGBTQ discrimination in Florida and passing gun violence prevention policies in the third most populous state in the country.

Florida has a long and hateful history when it comes to the treatment of LGBTQ people and has been the springboard for national anti-gay campaigns from Anita Bryant to the Liberty Counsel. Florida-based groups have not only done harm here, they’ve exported their prejudice to states around the nation and other countries as well.

But the tide has turned in our favor as hearts have softened and minds have opened in the wake of Pulse. Shame on us if we let this moment pass without pushing with all our might for the state to treat us all as equals under the law and to end easy access to weapons of mass slaughter.

We are so very grateful to have found the resources to help these people and their families get services, make up for lost wages, heal wounds and begin to put their lives back together.

Will you stand with us again and fulfill the promise of real change as the lasting memorial #ForThe49?

Inspired by our work in the aftermath of Pulse, an anonymous donor will match the first $100,000 raised for this campaign. That means the gift you give today will be doubled!

This is the official Pulse Victims Fund page for Equality Florida, the state's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization. Equality Florida is collecting contributions via this GoFundMe page to support every single victim of the horrific shooting at Orlando's Pulse Nightclub. This includes victims’ families, survivors, and those in the club who may not have suffered physical injury but in need of support.

Equality Florida, the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida (The Center) and the National Compassion Fund announced a partnership with OneOrlando to ensure all funds collected for victims are disbursed in a unified process that will expedite funds, ensure transparency and safeguard against fraud.

We have made available emergency deployment of short-term disbursements from our fundraising efforts, and connected victims with the immediate funds available via state and federal resources. We are committed to raising as much as we can to ensure long-term support for the victims’ families and survivors. The money raised towards this fund directly supports the victims families and survivors.

We ask all victims to call this hotline to begin this process: VictimConnect Resource Center855-4-Victim (855-484-2846)http://victimconnect.org/

Nadine Smith, Equality Florida's CEO will be managing the campaign and can be contacted with questions.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE EQUALITY FLORIDA INSTITUTE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES (WWW.800HELPFLA.COM) BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN FLORIDA (1.800.435.7352). REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #CH7992. ---------------------------To ensure transparency, GoFundMe has requested we answer the following questions:

2. Where you're fromFounded in St. Petersburg, Florida, with staff and offices across the state including in Orlando, Florida.

3. Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds forWe are advocates for the LGBT community in Florida.

4. How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible)Every penny raised will be distributed directly to the victims and their families. We are working with a team of attorneys and experts, including the National Center for Victims of Crime, which deployed funds in both Chattanooga and Aurora, to ensure funds are distributed correctly.

We are reeling from the tragic news that a gunman opened fire on the 2am capacity crowd at Pulse leaving 49 people dead and over 50 injured according to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

We are heartbroken and angry that senseless violence has once again destroyed lives in our state and in our country.

Gay clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ history. They were often the only safe gathering place and this horrific act strikes directly at our sense of safety. June commemorates our community standing up to anti-LGBTQ violence at the Stonewall Inn, the nightclub that has become the first LGBTQ site recognized as a national monument.

We have received a steady stream of emails and messages from those seeking to help or to make sense of the senseless. We make no assumptions on motive. We will await the details in tears of sadness and anger. We stand in solidarity and keep our thoughts on all whose lives have been lost or altered forever in this tragedy.

Update to all Pulse campaign donors - GoFundMe will be issuing receipts to everyone who donated to this campaign tomorrow. The receipts will come from GoFundMe and will state that your donation was tax deductible, so please keep the receipt for your records.

Please do me a favor. Share this link on Facebook: https://www.gofundme.com/forthe49
We want to make sure everyone knows the next phase of work in the aftermath of Pulse.
I appreciate the incredible generosity and kindness you've shown. Now is the time for real and lasting change.
Best,
Nadine
Here's the link to our Honor Them With Action link: https://www.gofundme.com/forthe49

How do we find the words to fully thank you for giving in a moment of tragedy and deep need?
Because of you, we were able to respond immediately to every need that was brought to us to support the victims. Emergency passports for family to attend funerals, gift cards so no one left the hospital without resources for food. And now the funds raised in the name of the victims are being distributed beginning today. So to thank each of you, here are survivors , family members and Orlando leaders sending you a heartfelt Thank You. We kept our promise to take care of our people. Now we hope you will stay with us to keep our second promise: To Honor Them With Action. Visit gofundme.com/forthe49. Your gift will be double by GoFundMe. - Nadine

In the aftermath of the massacre at Pulse, Equality Florida made two promises.

First, we would do everything we could to help the families of those killed and the survivors dealing with the physical and emotional pain of being targeted in the worst anti-LGBTQ hate crime in U.S. history.

You helped us keep the first promise by contributing, online and in person, more than $9M.

And we have kept our word that every penny we collected - even the interest that accrued on the funds - is going to the victims of Pulse. No staff or overhead. We’ve donated all of our time.

On September 27th, those funds will be disbursed and now our attention must focus entirely on fulfilling the second promise - to honor the dead with action.

Thoughts and prayers and symbols are not enough.

We are committed to ensuring the lasting memorial is the real change of uprooting anti-LGBTQ hatred at the source.

To keep this promise, we need you with us again.

Our mission for the last 19 years has been to uproot bigotry and fight for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Florida. Indeed, we fight for freedom for all Floridians to live without fear of violence, harm to their family, being fired from a job or refused service because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The massacre at Pulse has made this vision a priority for millions more people in the state of Florida. We have never been closer to a huge breakthrough in LGBTQ protections in a state that will have ripple effects nationally.

It is time for us to demand huge strides, not tiny measures, in changing the culture and the laws in Florida to ensure we stop the discrimination and violence that anti-LGBTQ hatred makes inevitable.

We are asking you now to join us in achieving two goals that are ambitious but achievable if we have the courage to stand together.

Banning anti-LGBTQ discrimination in Florida and passing gun violence prevention policies in the third most populous state in the country.

Florida has a long and hateful history when it comes to the treatment of LGBTQ people and has been the springboard for national anti-gay campaigns from Anita Bryant to the Liberty Counsel. Florida-based groups have not only done harm here, they’ve exported their prejudice to states around the nation and other countries as well.

But the tide has turned in our favor as hearts have softened and minds have opened in the wake of Pulse. Shame on us if we let this moment pass without pushing with all our might for the state to treat us all as equals under the law and to end easy access to weapons of mass slaughter.

We are so very grateful to have found the resources to help these people and their families get services, make up for lost wages, heal wounds and begin to put their lives back together.

Will you stand with us again and fulfill the promise of real change as the lasting memorial #ForThe49?

Inspired by our work in the aftermath of Pulse, an anonymous donor will match the first $100,000 raised for this campaign. That means the gift you give today will be doubled!

I'm donating because there are probably kids killed or hurt in this shooting who have no health insurance or have no family supporting them. My donation is given for my two gay sons who are lucky enough to have insurance, great jobs and supportive families.

I am a survivor, I would like to thank everyone for all contributions. Such a sad day, as a surviver I will do everything and anything to help anyone involved. What happend in there is extremely hard to explain... the magnitude of loss in a horrid scene . Thank you and God bless.

I see a lot of comments questioning the legitimacy of this campaign. There is nothing wrong with being careful before donating your money, but this is an easy one to confirm. Rather than leave a negative comment that may discourage others from donating, please just do a little research to allay your suspicions. Ida Vishkaee Eskamani, the creator of this campaign, is a development officer for Equality Florida. You can see her on their staff page here. http://www.eqfl.org/staff Equality Florida is the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in Florida. You can see their Guidestar report here https://www.guidestar.org/profile/59-3435235 Guidestar is a reputable database of non profits. This page is linked to from Equality Florida's official website and their Facebook page. So please, if you want to donate then donate, if you don't then don't, but don't use suspicion as an excuse because here are the facts.

My brother was one of the victims that lousy his life in this horrific tragedy..... He didn't have life insurance and we are trying to find a way to pay for his funeral service... Please if any one will help my family out in any way with information or whatever they can donate... His name was Eddie Justice... thank you!

UPDATE: The poster's account is active on Facebook, but has disengaged the "CONTACT ME" for obvious reasons. THAT BEING SAID, I received the email from GoFundMe. This is a verified campaign! CONTRIBUTE WITH CONFIDENCE! THIS GOFUNDME IS THE REAL DEAL!

Gabriel Derek Lopez, 500k seems steep? This appears to be legitimate from searching the groups sites...and if you consider we are talking about minimum 50 funerals and 53+ surgeries and hospital stays...500k seems woefully lacking.

From France - We are standing with you Orlando ! We are shocked and we are sharing your pain. Our thoughts to the victims family ! No words can describe how painful this must be : we all are mourning with you ! We are sending you all the strengh we can from Europe. With love love love, A french citizen.

I can saw with 1000% certainty, every single penny of the money donated here WILL go exactly where Equality Florida says it will!!! I live in Orlando, my 25 yr old is in that downtown area of Orlando frequently {Thank God he is safe}. I also know the cost of even a simple funeral. It's not cheap. Medical bills for those without insurance, add up. Give, whatever you can, every little bit helps. Make a difference today. My family mourns with the families of those whose lives were lost and pray for the wounded, all Law Enforcement, EMS, Fire Dept, the amazing people in the club who helped save lives, the doctors, nurses, all of the hospital employees working over 18 hours to save lives, we pray for each & every one of you. ALL LIVES MATTER!

Probably no one will read his comment, I'm from Chile and I'm sending all my love and blessings to everyone who is affected in anyway from this. All the support to the family, it's extremely hard lost someone you love and now the only thing than we can do for the people who died is fight for make a better world and create more concience

To everyone concerned about the person who set up this fund: I personally know this woman and her sister, and have volunteered with them. They are amazing women who work for great causes and will 100% donate all of this money to where it needs to go. I promise this fund it legit.

How do I know if this is legitimately going towards the victims? This is the only page I have seen so far taking donations. I don't want my donation money to go to the pocket of someone that isn't officially licensed as someone helping the cause.

Zumbathon Charity Event at Vent Fitness Guilderland N.Y.
For a while my partner and I were trying to figure out ways to help support the victims of the Orlando Florida Pulse Shooting.
I want to thank everyone who contributed their time and their donations.
For those who do not know what a Zumbathon is. It's an event where people come to donate money and dance for hours.
Some of the amazing instructors are: Anzala, Christa, Laura, Fatima, Jalila, Sara, and yours truly Zumba Jay.
I want to thank Judy and Kim for checking people in.
I also want to thank my partner Tony , for helping with the donation table which we called the intermission table LOL.
Along side him was Celeste, Tammi, Dee.
Another shout out to Sarah for taking pictures of the event .
The biggest thank you goes to Gina who is the vent fitness manager. She has been such a huge support. And allowed us to hold the event at the fitness facility.
We all came together and dance for hours to remember those who have passed on and those who were affected The hard of a decision by this tragic event.
The song "Hands" was played at the very end to end of the event and was dedicated to the 49 who had passed on.

I'm donating because there are probably kids killed or hurt in this shooting who have no health insurance or have no family supporting them. My donation is given for my two gay sons who are lucky enough to have insurance, great jobs and supportive families.

I am a survivor, I would like to thank everyone for all contributions. Such a sad day, as a surviver I will do everything and anything to help anyone involved. What happend in there is extremely hard to explain... the magnitude of loss in a horrid scene . Thank you and God bless.

I see a lot of comments questioning the legitimacy of this campaign. There is nothing wrong with being careful before donating your money, but this is an easy one to confirm. Rather than leave a negative comment that may discourage others from donating, please just do a little research to allay your suspicions. Ida Vishkaee Eskamani, the creator of this campaign, is a development officer for Equality Florida. You can see her on their staff page here. http://www.eqfl.org/staff Equality Florida is the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in Florida. You can see their Guidestar report here https://www.guidestar.org/profile/59-3435235 Guidestar is a reputable database of non profits. This page is linked to from Equality Florida's official website and their Facebook page. So please, if you want to donate then donate, if you don't then don't, but don't use suspicion as an excuse because here are the facts.

My brother was one of the victims that lousy his life in this horrific tragedy..... He didn't have life insurance and we are trying to find a way to pay for his funeral service... Please if any one will help my family out in any way with information or whatever they can donate... His name was Eddie Justice... thank you!

UPDATE: The poster's account is active on Facebook, but has disengaged the "CONTACT ME" for obvious reasons. THAT BEING SAID, I received the email from GoFundMe. This is a verified campaign! CONTRIBUTE WITH CONFIDENCE! THIS GOFUNDME IS THE REAL DEAL!

Gabriel Derek Lopez, 500k seems steep? This appears to be legitimate from searching the groups sites...and if you consider we are talking about minimum 50 funerals and 53+ surgeries and hospital stays...500k seems woefully lacking.

From France - We are standing with you Orlando ! We are shocked and we are sharing your pain. Our thoughts to the victims family ! No words can describe how painful this must be : we all are mourning with you ! We are sending you all the strengh we can from Europe. With love love love, A french citizen.

I can saw with 1000% certainty, every single penny of the money donated here WILL go exactly where Equality Florida says it will!!! I live in Orlando, my 25 yr old is in that downtown area of Orlando frequently {Thank God he is safe}. I also know the cost of even a simple funeral. It's not cheap. Medical bills for those without insurance, add up. Give, whatever you can, every little bit helps. Make a difference today. My family mourns with the families of those whose lives were lost and pray for the wounded, all Law Enforcement, EMS, Fire Dept, the amazing people in the club who helped save lives, the doctors, nurses, all of the hospital employees working over 18 hours to save lives, we pray for each & every one of you. ALL LIVES MATTER!

Probably no one will read his comment, I'm from Chile and I'm sending all my love and blessings to everyone who is affected in anyway from this. All the support to the family, it's extremely hard lost someone you love and now the only thing than we can do for the people who died is fight for make a better world and create more concience

To everyone concerned about the person who set up this fund: I personally know this woman and her sister, and have volunteered with them. They are amazing women who work for great causes and will 100% donate all of this money to where it needs to go. I promise this fund it legit.

How do I know if this is legitimately going towards the victims? This is the only page I have seen so far taking donations. I don't want my donation money to go to the pocket of someone that isn't officially licensed as someone helping the cause.

GoFundMe’s fee is 5% per donation, and our payment processor’s fee is 2.9% + $0.30 per donation. GoFundMe will never post without your permission. By continuing, you agree with the GoFundMe terms and privacy policy.